GRB Junior Company delivers to a packed house at the Dogwood
By Ken DeLaat “Is it time yet?” “Can we start getting ready?” “You and me and Grammy are all getting dressed up, right?” It was Saturday morning and the weather started getting a bit dicey and icy. I had pondered aloud that unless things got better outside there might not be a ballet today. That led to frequent glances out the window with Harper declaring several times, “It looks like its getting better Papa! That means we’re going, right?” It wasn’t getting better at all of course, but once it was confirmed that the show was definitely on we were most certain to be going. After all, what’s a little winter storm when it comes to taking an enthusiastic young lady to her first ballet? The anticipation must have been a bit tiring since after the excitement of getting dressed, including the selection of my tie (a bluish sort with small Winnie the Pooh’s sprinkled about), H. conked out enroute to the Dogwood Center requiring an awakening upon arrival when being extricated from her car seat. The usual period of disorientation that accompanies short unexpected snoozes wore off rather quickly as she explored the Dogwood lobby, posed for a few photos, and received an apparently much needed wand from the table of Oz-inspired wares the ballet had set up for a pre-show sale. Then Lil (aka ‘Grammy’) handed over her ticket and the small one lit up as if just granted the most wonderful of all possible gifts. Harper cradled it in her hand like a treasure and proudly offered it up when we reached the usher. We settled into our seats just down the row from a gathering of young folks dressed as the familiar Oz characters, a scene that seemed to fascinate yet puzzle the youngest of our trio. In the minutes before the ballet began our little Ms. spoke a bit about the stage and the lights and the feet moving underneath the curtain, but mostly just sat in rapt anticipation. Once the introduction was delivered and the curtain drew open she was mesmerized. Because it was magnificent. The Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company came in like the tornado in their storyline and whisked a huge Dogwood crowd to the land of Oz. To see the way this talented troupe transformed the classic tale into a compelling choreographic retelling was to witness artistry in motion. The performers took to their roles with enthusiasm and panache and the dancing was sheer delight. From the bright and smooth steps displayed by the principals to the sweet and stylish synchronicity of the Corps de Ballet the performances unfolding on the Dogwood stage proved most pleasing to an enchanted audience. The music, the set, and the imaginative lighting all added to what was a memorable afternoon at the Dogwood. And Ms. Harper was absolutely smitten. This was the irrepressible three year old’s first dance performance experience from the audience section having cut her dancing chops on a stage at her debut recital last year. Lil and myself were honored to accompany her for this most treasured annual visit from the GR Youth Ballet. And while the ballet itself was superb, the real magic took place in the eyes of Harper and the scores of young ladies (and a few young gentlemen) captivated by the action on stage.. There were many glances exchanged by ‘Grammy’ and me as we took in both the ballet and the exquisitely expressive face of the three year old who sat in her seat between us eschewing either lap because, as she stated succinctly with ticket stub in hand, “This is Harper’s seat”. Yes indeed, Ms H. thoroughly enjoyed the show as she did the pizza supper and ice cream dessert that followed. Though a bit fatigued at day’s end it proved to be a most enjoyable day for her. But I believe the experience may likely have been even more cherished by her chaperones. And certainly just as tiring. I know, it’s still way too cold and what with a possible ice storm brewing few are looking to venture out this weekend.
However should the meteorologists miss on this one or you just need to get out and grab a little entertainment that doesn’t involve a Netflix marathon or an evening of Youtube…… Saturday at 3pm is the GR Junior Ballet Co. presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Dogwood. Now I’m not saying how many tickets might be left since this one is always a hot seller but if you are acquainted with a young person from 3 on up and want to introduce them to the sheer magic of dance this is a golden opportunity. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/ballet-coming-harper-going Fremont High School will host the latest stop of the Breakthrough Tour featuring Christian Rock, Pop, Soul artists Unspoken and Citizen Way both groups well known to aficionados of this genre. The concert is part of the Cureus Ministry of Fremont. The concert starts at 6pm Saturday at the school 5421 S Warner. For more info visit CureUsMinistry online or check out their fb page. Coming up next week? On Monday check out the award ceremony at the Fremont Area Library where the winner of the Victim Rights Week Art Competition will be announced at 7pm https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/art-contest-puts-focus-on-victim-rights Wednesday is the third meeting of Families Against Narcotics (FAN) and the speaker for this month is Kelly Galbraith.Ms. Galbraith has a compelling recovery story, one that brings hope to those affected by the opioid epidemic ravaging the country and our county. The meeting starts at 7pm at NC RESA 4747 48th street in Fremont.Make plans to attend this meeting because we are all being affected by this current scourge and the more educated we can become as a citizenry, the better chances we have in the ongoing struggle that has too long been hidden from sight. FAN shines light on the scope of the problem, the resources available to help, and the support for accessing that help. And keep on your datebook (I mean your phone calendar of course) the upcoming Walk for Autism coming April 28th. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/living-well/autism-one-in-68-children The book club conversation: Mollie: “So what is our next book going to be, Stephanie?” Stephanie: “The Handmaid’s Tale. I can’t wait.” Mollie: “Oh I have been meaning to read that for a while!” Me: (in head) I’m quite sure that’s another of those books one of my family members has said ‘nope, not your kind of book’. I’ve grown. It didn’t even scare me. Much. The introduction to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was re-written last year. The author commented that while the book was first published in 1985 and was a product of her imagination, though based on things she felt were real in their potential, it seemed to have an eerie sense of reality in light of the political atmosphere within the last few years in the United States. Men rule the world, or at least the world that is known to Offred. Women are given roles according to their abilities. If you’re one of the “lucky” ones, you get chosen to be a Handmaid. Your existence is to house and birth children so that society can continue. The world “before” was just as we knew it in the 80s. Free choice. Women could have bank accounts and jobs and lives of their own. They could choose to have children or get married. Or not. But a revolution took place. The leaders of the revolution changed all that. Because of pollution, babies were beginning to be born disfigured. If a baby was born whole and not disfigured, it was great cause for celebration. Offred (literally “of Fred”) is a Handmaid. In her life before the revolution, she had a husband (their marriage was the result of an affair and his divorce) and a daughter. She worked and had a bank account and smoked cigarettes because those were her choices. Now she goes for weekly visits to the Commander’s room while laying in the wife of the Commander’s lap to be fertilized in hopes that she can have a child to further the world. But as the story continues, the reader discovers that not everyone is a true believer. There is an underground freedom party that is working, albeit slowly due to the danger of being hung in public for any number of misdeeds, to break the power of the Commanders. As I read this book I went through a range of emotions. Horror for Offred’s situation and horror that the concept for this book was and is considered “real in potential” in 2018. Sadness for women who are faced with choices like this in our world today. Because while it isn’t me who faces anything like what is described in this book, there are women who are repressed in ways similar to the concepts Offred is faced with. Anger that we haven’t moved so far beyond these concepts in the world that they are still relevant 30 years later. Happiness that I have a bank account. I can read books. I can choose to be married and have children. I can have my own job. I can express my own thoughts. This book was scary in a very realistic way but I am thankful that I have the freewill to read it and contemplate the idea of choice and my role in society. While I enjoyed the story of The Handmaid’s Tale, I have zero interest in watching the Hulu special. Maybe I have grown enough in my literary diversity to enjoy a book about a disturbing topic where I can control the story that is painted in my own mind. But when the story is brought to life for me on television, I want no part of it. I’ll keep my growth small and steady, thank you. April is the cruelest month.”- T.S. Eliot
Well old Tommy (T.S.) hit it on the nose this year thus far. A pre April Fools Day prank left us about 4 inches of snow during an Easter weekend trip to Beaver Island (I know, it seems odd to have gone there this time of year but Lil mentioned going to an island over a long weekend and this was such a bargain compared to Curacao). In addition the cold has not receded an inch while upchucking the most recent slopfest of that ice/snow blend we’ve been known to have drop in so unwelcomely from time to time. As happens when spring gets delayed and winter dawdles in its departure, folks have developed that level of testiness that opens the possibility of any random ‘have a nice day’ remark being met with some rather specific suggestions on what to do with said remark. But hey, it may be chilly and a bit dreary in these parts during this stretch but by now we all know it’s temporary at best. It might not get here with the expediency we would prefer but it will come and when it does it will be magnificent as always. In the meantime….. Nothing soothes the soul like music and we could all use a bit of soul soothing during this stretch of meteorological madness. Friday the Denise Anderson Connection will be rocking the Riverstop Saloon in downtown Newaygo beginning at 9pm. The Saloon provides the kind of atmosphere conducive to a band known to deliver some top quality covers of old favorites tossed in with a few surprises. The DAC is a definite favorite among local folks as is the Saloon. On Saturday Dale Wicks and Mark Swanson will be appearing at the Newaygo Brewing Co. in downtown Newaygo from 7-11pm. While we are unfamiliar with Mr. Wicks we have heard he impressed during a previous visit. Our familiarity with the music of Mark Swanson extends back to his days in the group Horsefeather (we were just children then). Swanson has often been part of the annual Luthier’s Concert.a joint effort of the NCCA Artsplace and the Dogwood Center. Great music,fine food and outstanding beverages await. Speaking of the Dogwood on Sunday at 3pm they are hosting the family friendly show Nugget & Fang a show that is certain to delight the younger set and allow their parents some optimum family fun time out of the house. By Sunday should our weather pattern continue as predicted getting out of the house might be just the ticket and speaking of tickets they’re just $12.50 adults and a mere fin ($5) per child. Great show for the Preschool to 3rd grade crowd we’ve been told. Check out more details here: https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/nugget-and-fang-at-dogwood-on-april-8 No young-uns and still feeling a bit restless by Sunday? Well if you didn’t get your fill of music yet or haven’t ventured out all weekend instead choosing to binge watch a newly discovered show you missed like ‘Justified’ or ‘Breaking Bad’, get yourself down to NewBrewCo for a Sunday afternoon treat when Wolfbird takes to the stage from 2-5pm. The political season is upon us and there will be lots of candidates around over the next few months. One of them,Gretchen Whitmer will be at the Fremont Rec Center from 11am-12pm Sunday. The former prosecutor and state senator is one of many seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor though presumed by most to be the front runner thus far. Ok we’re on the cusp folks, I swear by this time a couple weeks from now we’ll be basking in the 50’s with a nip or two at the 60’s so take heart and remember…. Let’s be careful out there. |
Features and FunConcerts, Plays, Happenings, Local Recipes, Gardening, Entertainment, Charities, Fundraisers, upcoming events, Theater, Activities, Tech, and much more. Categories“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.”
- Eric Qualman |